U.S. patent application number 11/091920 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for vacuum cleaner.
Invention is credited to Ebe, Kiyoshi, Kinoshita, Yusuke, Maeda, Yutaka, Nakatogawa, Yasushi, Oshima, Ikuo, Suzuki, Hitoshi, Takemoto, Ritsuo, Tanaka, Ai, Tanaka, Masatoshi, Tsuchiya, Yoshihiro, Yokoyama, Hiroshi.
Application Number | 20050166560 11/091920 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32233991 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050166560 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takemoto, Ritsuo ; et
al. |
August 4, 2005 |
Vacuum cleaner
Abstract
There is disclosed a vacuum cleaner including a dust separation
section which separates air and dust flowing toward an intake port
of a motor blower through a connection port of a cleaner main body.
The dust separation section includes an air path forming member
which performs a separation function. The forming member includes
an introductory port, a derivative port, and an opening disposed
between these. In the separation function, while dust-containing
air flows toward the derivative port from the introductory port, a
part of the air is sucked by the motor blower through the opening.
Accordingly, the air is separated from the dust which goes straight
in the air path forming member with inertia.
Inventors: |
Takemoto, Ritsuo; (Hadano,
JP) ; Tanaka, Masatoshi; (Ebina, JP) ;
Yokoyama, Hiroshi; (Ashigarakami-gun, JP) ; Suzuki,
Hitoshi; (Yokohama, JP) ; Ebe, Kiyoshi;
(Hiratsuka, JP) ; Tsuchiya, Yoshihiro; (Sunto-gun,
JP) ; Tanaka, Ai; (Hadano, JP) ; Nakatogawa,
Yasushi; (Odawara, JP) ; Oshima, Ikuo;
(Yokohama, JP) ; Kinoshita, Yusuke; (Hadano,
JP) ; Maeda, Yutaka; (Hadano, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
32233991 |
Appl. No.: |
11/091920 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11091920 |
Mar 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
PCT/JP03/03365 |
Mar 19, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
55/482 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/20 20130101; A47L
9/102 20130101; A47L 9/122 20130101; B01D 50/002 20130101; B01D
46/521 20130101; A47L 9/1666 20130101; A47L 9/26 20130101; Y10S
55/03 20130101; A47L 9/165 20130101; B01D 46/10 20130101; A47L
9/1683 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
055/482 |
International
Class: |
B01D 050/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 31, 2002 |
JP |
2002-317919 |
Nov 29, 2002 |
JP |
2002-348564 |
Jan 17, 2003 |
JP |
2003-009103 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vacuum cleaner in which a motor blower including an intake
port is built in a cleaner main body including a connection port,
comprising: a first dust separation section which is disposed
between the connection port and the intake port and which includes
an air path forming member to separate air and dust flowing toward
the intake port through the connection port; a first dust
accumulation section which accumulates the dust separated by the
first dust separation section; and a second dust separation section
which includes a mat-like filter element and which is disposed
between the first dust separation section and the motor blower,
wherein an axial line of the air path forming member is linear, and
the air path forming member includes an introductory port into
which dust-containing air passed through the connection port is
introduced, a derivative port via which the separated dust is
derived, and an opening which is disposed between the introductory
port and derivative port and via which a part of the air flowing
toward the derivative port from the introductory port is sucked
into the intake port to separate the air from the dust going
straight toward the derivative port from the introductory port with
inertia.
2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the opening is
covered with a filter.
3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising: a
second dust accumulation section which accumulates the dust falling
from the filter element separately from the first dust accumulation
section and which is disposed under the second dust separation
section.
4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the second dust
accumulation section is disposed in a position which deviates from
a flow of the air leading to the intake port from the first dust
separation section.
5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the first dust
separation section and first dust accumulation section are
juxtaposed, and the second dust separation section disposed between
the first dust separation section and the motor blower is disposed
over at least one part of a projection region of the first dust
accumulation section and the projection region of the first dust
separation section.
6. A vacuum cleaner in which a motor blower including an intake
port is built in a cleaner main body including a connection port,
comprising: a first dust separation section which is disposed
between the connection port and the intake port and which includes
an air path forming member to separates air and dust flowing toward
the intake port through the connection port; a first dust
accumulation section which accumulates dust separated by the first
dust separation section; a second dust separation section which
includes a mat-like filter element raised for use and which is
disposed between the first dust separation section and the motor
blower and in which the air leading to the intake port from the
first dust separation section is mainly passed through an upper
part of the filter element; a partition wall which partitions a
negative-pressure space containing the first dust separation
section from the first dust accumulation section and which forms a
gap between a lower surface of the filter element and the
negative-pressure space to communicate with the negative-pressure
space, the gap being smaller than the negative-pressure space; and
a second dust accumulation section which communicates with the gap
and which is disposed under the second dust separation section and
which accumulates the dust falling from the filter element
separately from the first dust accumulation section, wherein an
axial line of the air path forming member is linear, and the air
path forming member includes an introductory port into which
dust-containing air passed through the connection port is
introduced, a derivative port via which the separated dust is
derived, and an opening which is disposed between the introductory
port and derivative port and via which a part of the air flowing
toward the derivative port from the introductory port is sucked
into the intake port to separate the air from the dust going
straight toward the derivative port from the introductory port with
inertia.
7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, further comprising: a
guide section via which the derivative port of the air path forming
member communicates with the first dust accumulation section.
8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, further comprising: a
dust drop device which drops the dust sticking to the filter
element.
9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the second dust
accumulation section is disposed between the first dust separation
section and the motor blower.
10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the filter
element is tilted forwards so that an upper end of the filter
element projects toward an upstream side from a lower end of the
element.
11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein lower ends of
the first and second dust accumulation sections are opened and
juxtaposed, and the vacuum cleaner comprises one bottom plate which
opens/closes these lower end openings.
12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, further comprising: a
dust cup which is attachable/detachable with respect to the cleaner
main body and which includes the first and second dust separation
sections and the first dust accumulation section.
13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the first dust
accumulation section is formed integrally with the second dust
accumulation section.
14. The vacuum cleaner according to claims 6, wherein the second
dust separation section includes a filter frame, and the filter
element which closes the inside of the frame, and the filter frame
includes a dust discharge section which discharges downwards the
dust falling from the surface of the filter element.
15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 14, wherein the filter
element includes a surface treatment layer which smoothes the
surface of the element and which maintains gas permeability of the
filter element.
16. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 14, wherein the filter
element is a pleated filter including front surface grooves and
back surface grooves extending in a vertical direction, the dust
discharge section includes an element support, and the element
support includes dust through sections which communicate with lower
ends of the front surface grooves and closing sections which close
the lower ends of the back surface grooves, the dust through
sections and the closing sections being alternately arranged.
17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein the dust
discharge section includes an oblique section disposed under the
element support, and the oblique section obliquely projects
forwards/downwards opposite to the dust through sections.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No.
PCT/JP03/03365, filed Mar. 19, 2003, which was published under PCT
Article 21(2) in Japanese.
[0002] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2002-317919,
filed Oct. 31, 2002; No. 2002-348564, filed Nov. 29, 2002; and No.
2003-009103, filed Jan. 17, 2003, the entire contents of all of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner including
a first dust separation section for separating dust in sucked
dust-containing air, and a second dust separation section disposed
on a downstream side of the first dust separation section,
particularly to a vacuum cleaner in which the first dust separation
section uses inertia of the dust to separate the dust.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] A cyclone vacuum cleaner which separates air from dust by
centrifugal separation in a first dust separation section and by
filter separation in a second separation section is known; see Jpn.
Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-104223.
[0007] This vacuum cleaner includes a dust cup whose upper part is
opened, and a motor blower which brings the inside of this cup into
a negative pressure. A filter is disposed in an upper opening of
the dust cup. An intake port is connected to a peripheral wall of
the dust cup. The intake port is connected to a draw-in port member
which draws in the dust via an intake passage.
[0008] Dust-containing air drawn into the dust cup turns in this
cup with operation of the motor blower. By this turning, heavy dust
particles are separated from the air. The separated dust
accumulates in the dust cup, and the air is sucked into the motor
blower through a filter.
[0009] The dust which has accumulated in the dust cup soars every
time the operation of the motor blower is restarted. The filter is
directly engaged in the dust cup, and therefore the dust which has
soared is attached to or entwined with the filter. Therefore, the
filter is clogged at an early stage, thus the function of
separation of the air and dust easily drops.
[0010] The cyclone vacuum cleaner which separates the air from the
dust by the centrifugal separation in the first dust separation
section and by the filter separation in the second separation
section is also known; see Jpn. Utility Model Appln. No.
60-157686.
[0011] In this vacuum cleaner, the inside of a cylindrical dust
collector body is divided into upper and lower dust collector
chambers. A horizontal partition plate which assumes this division
includes an exhaust cylinder which communicates with both the dust
collector chambers in a middle part. A suction port in a tangent
line direction is disposed in the lower dust collector chamber. The
suction port and lower dust collector chamber form the cyclone type
of first dust separation section. A filter is disposed in the upper
dust collector chamber to cover a draw-in side of an exhaust fan.
The filter and upper dust collector chamber form the second dust
separation section.
[0012] When the exhaust fan is operated, the first dust separation
section carries out the cyclone type of dust separation. At this
time, the air is drawn in the exhaust fan through the filter of the
upper dust collector chamber.
[0013] The dust which has accumulated in the upper and lower dust
collector chambers soars every time the operation of the motor
blower is restarted. The dust which has soared is sometimes
attached to or entwined with the filter. Therefore, the filter is
clogged at the early stage, and the function of the separation of
the air and dust easily drops.
[0014] The vacuum cleaner using a pleated exhaust fan for filtering
and separating the dust from the air is known from Jpn. Pat. Appln.
KOKAI Publication No. 2002-306380.
[0015] A dividing section, which is a quadrangular frame, surrounds
the exhaust filter. The exhaust filter has pleads that extend in
vertical direction. The dust that sticks to the surface of the
exhaust filter while the motor blower is operating can therefore
easily come off and falls. The lower frame part of the dividing
section receives and holds the dust falling from the exhaust
filter. This decreases the area of effective filter region,
inevitably reducing the capability of the exhaust filter. If the
second dust separation section employs the pleated filter, its
efficiency of separating dust from air will decrease.
[0016] The vacuum cleaner which separates the air from the dust by
inertia separation in the first dust separation section and by
filter separation with the pleated filter in the second separation
section is known, from Jpn. Pat. KOKOKU Publication No.
61-22563.
[0017] The vacuum cleaner includes a partition wall including an
opening for exposing a front part of a pleated main filter. This
partition wall contacts a side periphery of a filter hold member. A
bottom plate is integrally disposed in the partition wall, and is
disposed opposite to the main filter from below. A primary filter
disposed integrally with the bottom plate is disposed in an outer
periphery of the partition wall. The primary filter includes a mesh
section and an impermeable wall disposed opposite to a hose port.
The hose port opposed wall is formed so as to divert an air current
leading to the front part of the main filter from a coarse dust
chamber in a dust collector case. A hose connection port of the
dust collector case is disposed opposite to the hose port opposed
wall.
[0018] In this constitution, the dust-containing air which has
entered the dust collector case from the hose connection port
collides with the hose port opposed wall. Therefore, the coarse
dust in the air falls into the coarse dust chamber. On the other
hand, the air flowing along the surface of the hose port opposed
wall passes through the mesh section and inverts a flow direction.
After flowing along a back surface of the hose port opposed wall,
the air flows through the main filter.
[0019] In the technique for allowing the dust-containing air to
collide with the hose port opposed wall to separate the air from
the dust, a technique of using an inertial force of the dust in the
air current to separate the dust is not taught. With the collision
of the dust-containing air with the hose port opposed wall,
turbulence is generated, and therefore windage is large.
Additionally, since the air current goes by the hose opposed wall,
the windage is large. Because of this, the function of the
separation of the air and dust easily drops on an upstream side of
the main filter.
[0020] An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum
cleaner in which a capability of the separation of air and dust can
be inhibited from dropping and a cleaning capability can be
improved.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] A preferable aspect of the present invention includes a
first dust separation section, a first dust accumulation section,
and a second dust separation section. The first dust separation
section is disposed between a connection port of a cleaner main
body and an intake port of a motor blower built in the cleaner main
body.
[0022] Dust separated by the first dust separation section is
accumulated in the first dust accumulation section. A second dust
separation section is disposed between the first dust separation
section and the motor blower. This second dust separation section
includes a mat filter element which filters the dust from air drawn
into the intake port.
[0023] The first dust separation section includes an air path
forming member which separates the air from the dust flowing toward
the intake port through the connection port. An axial line of the
air path forming member is linear. The air path forming member
includes an introductory port, a derivative port, and an opening.
Dust-containing air passed through the connection port is
introduced into the introductory port. The separated dust is
derived via the derivative port. The opening is disposed between
the introductory port and derivative port. Via this opening, a part
of the air flowing toward the derivative port from the introductory
port can be sucked into the intake port of the motor blower. By
this suction, the air is separated from the dust which goes
straight toward the derivative port from the introductory port with
inertia.
[0024] In this preferable aspect, the air and dust drawn into the
connection port by the operation of the motor blower are separated
by the first dust separation section. The separated heavy dust is
accumulated in the first dust accumulation section, and is
inhibited from sticking to the filter element of the second dust
separation section.
[0025] In the function of the separation of the air and dust in the
first dust separation section, the drawn dust-containing air is
allowed to flow toward the derivative port from the introductory
port, while a part of the flowing air is sucked into the motor
blower through the opening of the air path forming member.
Accordingly, the air is separated from the dust which goes straight
in the air path forming member with the inertia.
[0026] Swirl is inhibited from being caused in the separation.
Additionally, since the flow of the dust-containing air does not
invert or detour, windage is small. Therefore, since a capability
of separation of the air and dust is inhibited from dropping, a
cleaning capability can be improved.
[0027] A preferable aspect of the present invention includes a
first dust separation section, a first dust accumulation section, a
second dust separation section, a partition wall, and a second dust
accumulation section. The first dust separation section is disposed
between a connection port of a cleaner main body and an intake port
of a motor blower built in the cleaner main body.
[0028] The dust separated by the first dust separation section is
accumulated in the first dust accumulation section. The second dust
separation section is disposed between the first dust separation
section and motor blower. This second dust separation section
includes a mat filter element which filters the dust from air drawn
into the intake port. This filter element is used in upright
position.
[0029] The partition wall is disposed to partition a
negative-pressure space in which the first dust separation section
is contained from the first dust accumulation section. A gap is
formed between the partition wall and a lower surface of the filter
element. The gap is narrow than the negative-pressure space, and
communicates with the negative-pressure space. The second dust
accumulation section communicates with the gap and is disposed
below the second dust separation section. In the second dust
accumulation section, the dust falling from the filter element is
accumulated separately from the first dust accumulation
section.
[0030] The first dust separation section includes an air path
forming member which separates the air from the dust which flows
toward the intake port through the connection port. An axial line
of the air path forming member is linear. The air path forming
member includes an introductory port, a derivative port, and an
opening. Dust-containing air passed through the connection port is
introduced into the introductory port. The separated dust is
derived via the derivative port. The opening is disposed between
the introductory port and derivative port. Via this opening, a part
of the air flowing toward the derivative port from the introductory
port can be sucked into the intake port of the motor blower. By
this suction, the air is separated from the dust which goes
straight toward the derivative port from the introductory port with
inertia.
[0031] In this preferable aspect, the air and dust drawn into the
connection port by the operation of the motor blower are separated
by the first dust separation section. The separated heavy dust is
accumulated in the first dust accumulation section, and is
inhibited from sticking to the filter element of the second dust
separation section.
[0032] In the function of the separation of the air and dust in the
first dust separation section, the drawn dust-containing air is
allowed to flow toward the derivative port from the introductory
port, while a part of the flowing air is sucked into the motor
blower through the opening of the air path forming member.
Accordingly, the air is separated from the dust which goes straight
in the air path forming member with the inertia.
[0033] The swirl is inhibited from being caused in the separation.
Additionally, since the flow of the dust-containing air does not
invert or detour, windage is small. Therefore, since the capability
of the separation of the air and dust is inhibited from dropping,
the cleaning capability can be improved.
[0034] When the operation of the motor blower is stopped, the dust
sticking to the filter element of the second dust separation
section falls with its own weight, and is accumulated in the second
dust accumulation section. Immediately after the operation of the
motor blower is restarted, the air in the negative-pressure space
is disturbed. However, this disturbance is inhibited from spreading
into the second dust accumulation section by the narrow gap.
Accordingly, the dust accumulated in the second dust accumulation
section can be inhibited from soaring and again sticking to the
filter element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vacuum cleaner
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cleaner main body of
the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a partially sectional side view of the cleaner
main body of FIG. 2;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the cleaner main body of FIG.
2 in a state in which a lid member is opened;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a dust cup
of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a partially cut perspective view of the dust cup
of FIG. 5;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the dust cup of FIG. 5
seen from a rear side in a state in which a second dust separation
section is removed and additionally a filter of a first dust
separation section is removed;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a lateral sectional plan view showing the dust cup
of FIG. 5 in the state in which the second dust separation section
is removed and additionally the filter of the first dust separation
section is removed;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the lower part of the
dust cup of FIG. 5 seen from the rear side in the state in which a
second dust separation section is removed;
[0044] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view showing the dust cup of FIG. 5
in a state in which a bottom plate is removed;
[0045] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the second dust
separation section disposed in the dust cup of FIG. 5;
[0046] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a part of a filter
frame disposed in the second dust separation section of FIG.
11;
[0047] FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a filter
element disposed in the second dust separation section of FIG.
11;
[0048] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a relation between a
dust drop device and a cord reel of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1
seen from a front side;
[0049] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the relation between
the dust drop device and the cord reel of the vacuum cleaner of
FIG. 1 seen from the rear side;
[0050] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the dust drop device
of FIG. 15 together with the cord reel;
[0051] FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a rotary force
transmission mechanism of the dust drop device of FIG. 14;
[0052] FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line F18-F18 in FIG.
17;
[0053] FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along line F19-F19 in FIG.
17;
[0054] FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the dust
cup of the vacuum cleaner according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0055] FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the dust
cup of the vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0056] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a part of the second
dust separation section disposed in the dust cup of FIG. 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0057] A first embodiment of the present invention will be
described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19.
[0058] In FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner shown by a reference numeral 10
includes a cleaner main body 20. This main body 20 is removably
connected to one end of a flexible dust suction hose 21. The other
end of the dust suction hose 21 includes a handling operation
section 22. The handling operation section 22 includes a handle
22A. This handle 22A includes operation switches 22B for remote
operation.
[0059] The handling operation section 22 is connected to an
expandable/contractible extension pipe 23 so that the tube is
attachable/detachable. A tip end of the extension pipe 23 is
connected to an attachable/detachable draw-in port member 24. The
dust suction hose 21, extension pipe 23, and draw-in port member 24
form an intake passage member 25.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cleaner main body 20 includes
a main-body case 30, a dust cup 50, and a lid member 40. The dust
cup 50 is disposed in the main-body case 30 so as to be
attachable/detachable. The lid member 40 is attached to a front
part of the main-body case 30 by a hinge (not shown), and the lid
member 40 is rotatable in a vertical direction.
[0061] The main-body case 30 includes a case main section 34 and a
cup receiver section 35. As shown in FIG. 3, a motor blower 33 is
built in the case main section 34. The motor blower 33 includes an
intake port 33A opened forwards. The motor blower 33 is disposed in
such a manner that a most part of the intake port 33A is disposed
in the vicinity of an upper part of the case main section 34.
[0062] The cup receiver section 35 projects forwards integrally
from the lower part of the case main section 34. The receiver
section 35 is formed in a concave shape opening upwards. The dust
cup 50 is laid on the cup receiver section 35 so as to be
attachable/detachable. The dust cup 50 is vertically held between
the closed lid member 40 and cup receiver section 35, and is
attached to the cleaner main body 20.
[0063] Swollen sections 36 (only one is shown) are integrally
formed on opposite side walls in a width direction of the case main
section 34. These swollen sections 36 are obliquely disposed over a
lower part in the vicinity of a rear part from an upper part in the
vicinity of a front part of the case main section 34.
[0064] Exhaust sections 38 including a plurality of exhaust holes
are disposed in a part in the vicinity of the front part of the
opposite swollen sections 36 and the opposite side walls of the
case main section 34. These exhaust sections 38 communicate with an
exhaust port 33B (see FIG. 3) of the motor blower 33 via an exhaust
air path (not shown). The air exhausted from the exhaust port 33B
is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust sections 38 via the
exhaust air path.
[0065] Rear wheels 37 are rotatably attached to lower ends of the
opposite swollen sections 36. A front wheel 39 including a castor
is attached to the underside of the cup receiver section 35. The
cleaner main body 20 can move on a plane to be cleaned such as a
floor of a house by the front wheel 39 and rear wheels 37.
[0066] The case main section 34 incorporates a cord reel 125 and
dust drop device 149 described later. The cord reel 125 is provided
below the motor blower 33. This cord reel 125 supplies power of a
commercial alternating current power source to the motor blower 33,
and the like.
[0067] The dust drop device 149 is operated using rotation of the
cord reel 125 in extracting/inserting a power cord as a driving
force. This dust drop device 149 applies vibration for dropping off
the dust to a filter element 82 described later.
[0068] The dust drop device 149 can be omitted. Instead of the cord
reel 125, a battery for supplying the power to the motor blower 33,
and the like may also be built in. The dust drop device may also be
disposed in a constitution in which the battery is built in. In
this case, a dust drop operation section may be disposed outside
the main-body case 30 so as to operate the dust drop device by the
operation of the operation section.
[0069] The lid member 40 includes a top plate 41 and peripheral
wall 42. The top plate 41 is formed substantially in an elliptic
shape in a plan view. The peripheral wall 42 is formed integrally
around the top plate 41. The front part of the peripheral wall 42
includes a connection port 43 which is to be connected to the dust
suction hose 21 so as to be attachable/detachable. This connection
port 43 forms a pipe shape extending in a forward/backward
direction in a state in which the lid member 40 is closed. Opposite
ends of the connection port 43 in an axial direction are opened,
respectively. In the state in which the lid member 40 is closed, a
rear-end opening 45 of the connection port 43 is disposed so as to
directly continue with a first dust separation section 61 described
later from the front side (upstream).
[0070] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the dust cup 50 includes a
container case member 53, a handle section 54 disposed in the
container case member 53, and an openable/closable bottom plate 57.
A rear part of the container case member 53 is substantially
entirely opened. An air hole 52 is disposed in a front wall 50a of
the container case member 53 disposed opposite to this opening 51
(shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). The handle section 54 is positioned below
the air hole 52 and disposed in the front wall 50a.
[0071] The container case member 53 includes a first dust
accumulation section 55, a space (hereinafter referred to as the
negative-pressure space) 56 which is brought into a negative
pressure by the operation of the motor blower 33, and the first
dust separation section 61.
[0072] The first dust accumulation section 55 is disposed in the
lower part of the container case member 53. The negative-pressure
space 56 is disposed above the first dust accumulation section 55.
The negative-pressure space 56 functions as an air path leading to
a filter 80 which is a second dust separation section described
later from openings 64 described later of the first dust separation
section 61. Furthermore, the negative-pressure space 56 also
functions as the air path leading to the filter 80 from an air hole
59 described later.
[0073] The first dust accumulation section 55 and negative-pressure
space 56 are arranged one above the other in the cleaner main body
20. An arrangement direction of the dust accumulation section 55
and negative-pressure space 56 may be any of a left/right (width)
direction, forward/backward (axis) direction, and oblique direction
of the cleaner main body 20.
[0074] The bottom surface of the first dust accumulation section 55
is opened. The bottom plate 57 is attached to a bottom part of the
first dust accumulation section 55 so as to be openable/closable
around an axis J. When this bottom plate 57 is opened, the dust
accumulated in the first dust accumulation section 55 can be
discarded. A closed state of the bottom plate 57 is released via a
mechanism (not shown) which links with a pushed-in operation button
disposed in the handle section 54.
[0075] The first dust accumulation section 55 and negative-pressure
space 56 are defined by an uprising wall 60 and ceiling wall 58
which continue with each other. These uprising wall 60 and ceiling
wall 58 function as partition walls. The uprising wall 60 is
provided on the lower part of the container case member 53 and near
the opening 51. The ceiling wall 58 bends from an upper end of the
uprising wall 60 and continues with the front wall 50a. Therefore,
the first dust accumulation section 55 is defined by a lower
peripheral wall and the partition walls of the container case
member 53. The negative-pressure space 56 is defined by an upper
peripheral wall and the partition walls of the container case
member 53.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, the air hole 59 is formed in the ceiling
wall 58 of the first dust accumulation section 55. The first dust
accumulation section 55 communicates with the negative-pressure
space 56 via the air hole 59. The air hole 59 is disposed opposite
to substantially a middle part of the first dust accumulation
section 55. As shown in FIGS. 5, 8, and 10, a filter F1 is attached
to the air hole 59. The filter F1 is formed, for example, of a
net.
[0077] A hole 58A (see FIGS. 7 and 9) is made in the ceiling wall
58 and located near the uprising wall 60. A guide wall 55G (see
FIGS. 5 and 10) is disposed in the uprising wall 60. The guide wall
55G is disposed opposite to the hole 58A so as to generate a spiral
flow in the first dust accumulation section 55.
[0078] The first dust separation section 61 is disposed in the
negative-pressure space 56. The first dust separation section 61
includes a cylindrical air path forming member 62 and guide section
63. An inner space of the air path forming member 62 functions as a
straight air path 62a. Via the guide section 63, the air path
forming member 62 communicates with the first dust accumulation
section 55 in order to guide the dust separated by the air path
forming member 62 to the first dust accumulation section 55.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 5, the air path forming member 62 includes
a linear axial line SL, and opposite ends of the axial direction
are both opened. The air path forming member 62 includes a
plurality of openings for separation 64 positioned at equal
intervals between the opposite end openings. These openings 64 are
closed by a filter F2 for trapping the dust.
[0080] In detail, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 8, the air path forming
member 62 includes a frame that comprises a pair of large and small
circular frame sections W1, W2, and a plurality of ribs W3. The
ribs W3 connect the frame section W1 to W2. Each opening 64 is
formed of a space surrounded with the opposite frame sections W1,
W2 and ribs W3. The filter F2 is formed, for example, of the net,
and is attached to an inner peripheral surface of the frame in a
cylindrical shape. Therefore, the air path forming member 62 forms
the cylindrical shape, for example, as if opposite ends of a sieve
in the axial direction were opened. The opening in one end of the
air path forming member 62 in the axial direction forms an
introductory port 62A. The opening in the other end of the air path
forming member 62 in the axial direction forms a derivative port
62B.
[0081] An axial line SL of the air path forming member 62 which
defines the straight air path 62a extends in the axial direction
(forward/backward direction in the present embodiment) of the
cleaner main body 20 as described above. The straight air path 62a
communicates with the intake port 33A of the motor blower 33
successively via the opening 64 of the air path forming member 62
and the negative-pressure space 56 of the container case member
53.
[0082] As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 8, the diameter of the
large-diameter introductory port 62A of the air path forming member
62 is larger than that of the air hole 52 of the container case
member 53. The air path forming member 62 is connected to the
container case member 53. The air hole 52 is positioned in a region
in which the introductory port 62A of the container case member 53
is projected in the front wall 50a. The diameter of the derivative
port 62B of the air path forming member 62 is smaller than that of
the introductory port 62A and the air hole 52. Accordingly, the
diameter of the air path forming member 62 gradually decreases
toward the derivative port 62B from the introductory port 62A.
[0083] The extending direction of the axial line SL of the air path
forming member 62 substantially linearly continues with that of the
axial line of the connection port 43 of the lid member 40. The
intake port 33A of the motor blower 33 is disposed on extension of
these axial lines. The connection port. 43, the air hole 52, the
straight air path 62a, the opening 51, and the intake port 33A of
the motor blower 33 are successively arranged along the axial
direction (forward/backward direction in the present embodiment) of
the cleaner main body 20.
[0084] As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, the guide section 63 continues with
the derivative port 62B of the air path forming member 62. The
guide section 63 has a tubular shape, and includes an opening 63D
bonded to the derivative port 62B. The guide section 63 includes an
inclined wall section 63A and air-guiding wall section 63B to have
the tubular shape. The inclined wall section 63A extends obliquely
downwards from the upper part of the derivative port 62B. The
air-guiding wall section 63B is curved from the inclined wall
section 63A to extend downwards. This wall section 63B is disposed
opposite to the derivative port 62B of the air path forming member
62.
[0085] The lower part of the guide section 63 forms a tube section
63C partially including the inclined wall section 63A. The tube
section 63C extends, for example, in the vertical direction, and is
connected to the ceiling wall 58 and uprising wall 60 so that the
hole 58A is covered. By this connection, the guide section 63
connects the straight air path 62a to the first dust accumulation
section 55.
[0086] The uprising wall 60 is disposed on an inner side (front
side) slightly from the end of the opening 51 of the container case
member 53. A depth H (see FIG. 5) leading to the uprising wall 60
from the opening 51 is used to attach the filter 80 described later
to the container case member 53 so that the opening 51 is
closed.
[0087] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, a support wall 71 is integrally
disposed in the container case member 53. The support wall 71 is
positioned outside the lower end of the uprising wall 60. A second
dust accumulation section 72 whose upper end is opened is formed
between the support wall 71 and uprising wall 60. The second dust
accumulation section 72 is disposed so as to accumulate the dust
separately from and independently of the first dust accumulation
section 55. The second dust accumulation section 72 accumulates the
dust finer than that accumulated in the first dust accumulation
section 55. This second dust accumulation section 72 is divided
into a plurality of regions by a plurality of support ribs 73. The
support wall 71 and support ribs 73 support the filter 80 described
later from below.
[0088] Lower-end openings of the second dust accumulation section
72 and first dust accumulation section 55 are juxtaposed. The
lower-end openings of both the dust accumulation sections 55, 72
are closed by the bottom plate 57 so as to be
openable/closable.
[0089] When one bottom plate 57 is opened, the dust accumulated in
the first and second dust accumulation sections 55, 72 can
simultaneously be discarded, and this is convenient to use. The
second dust accumulation section 72 is formed in a concave shape
including a dead end structure by the bottom plate 57. Any air
current does not pass through the second dust accumulation section
72 structured in a blind alley state in this manner. Additionally,
turbulence of the negative-pressure space 56 can be inhibited from
spreading into the second dust accumulation section 72.
[0090] The second dust accumulation section 72 is not limited as
long as a constitution is obtained for maintaining most of the dust
accumulated inside in an accumulated state, when the turbulence
propagates into the upper part of the section 72. Therefore, the
dust can be permitted to soar substantially to an ignorable degree,
when the influence of the turbulence spreads. A slanted or funneled
baffle is not inhibited from being disposed in the second dust
accumulation section 72. This baffle passes the dust falling down
into the second dust accumulation section 72 from above, but
suppresses the influence of the turbulence onto the second dust
accumulation section.
[0091] An annular seal material (see FIG. 5) 74 is fixed to the
inner surface of the bottom plate 57. The seal material 74
simultaneously keeps the lower ends of both the dust accumulation
sections 55, 72 to be airtight in a closed state of the bottom
plate 57. This is superior in that when the single seal material 74
is shared in this manner, the seal material is not required for
each of the dust accumulation sections 55, 72. The second dust
accumulation section 72 does not communicate with the first dust
accumulation section 55 disposed adjacent to the second dust
accumulation section. Therefore, the whole lower end of the
uprising wall 60 contacts the inner surface of the closed bottom
plate 57 to divide both the accumulation sections 55, 72. The seal
material 74 can also be attached to the lower end surfaces of both
the dust accumulation sections 55, 72.
[0092] The filter 80 is attached to the container case member 53 so
as to be attachable/detachable so that the opening 51 is closed.
The filter 80 functions as the second dust separation section. This
filter 80 forms a shape extending in an arrangement direction of
the negative-pressure space 56 and dust accumulation section 55.
The filter 80 is formed in such a size that the filter can be
fitted into the opening 51 of the container case member 53.
[0093] Therefore, the filter 80 fitted into the opening 51 is
disposed, for example, over large parts of the rearward whole
projection regions of the negative-pressure space 56 and dust
accumulation section 55. In other words, the upper part of the
filter 80 attached to the container case member 53 is disposed
opposite to the negative-pressure space 56 and the first dust
separation section 61 in the space. Additionally, the lower part of
the filter 80 is disposed in the vicinity of and opposite to the
uprising wall 60.
[0094] The container case member 53 includes regulating means.
Concretely, as shown in FIG. 5, a step portion 53A positioned in a
ceiling portion of the container case member 53 and a corner
portion 53B forming a boundary between the uprising wall 60 and
each rib 73 are disposed. These step portion 53A and corner portion
53B regulate a fit depth of the filter 80 with respect to the
container case member 53.
[0095] By this regulation, the filter 80 is positioned upright,
preferably tilted forwards, almost perpendicularly. The forward
tilting indicates a state in which the upper end of the filter 80
is inclined so as to protrude from the lower end on the upstream
side on the basis of the air current passing through the filter 80.
It is to be noted that the filter element 82 described later may
also be tilted forwards instead of tilting the whole filter 80.
This constitution is also included in a concept that the filter is
tilted forwards.
[0096] The forward tilting of the filter 80 is superior in that the
dust sticking to the surface of the filter 80 on the upstream side
is freely/easily dropped with the operation stop of the vacuum
cleaner 10. In this case, the dust which is to fall cannot be
disturbed by the dust sticking to a position below. It is to be
noted that with the dust drop device, the filter 80 may also be
disposed perpendicularly instead of being inclined forwards. It is
also possible to dispose/tilt the filter slightly rearwards
depending on cases.
[0097] A gap G is formed between the lower part of the filter 80
attached to the container case member 53 and the uprising wall 60.
The gap G is much narrower than the negative-pressure space 56
which is disposed above and which communicates with the gap, and an
air path sectional area is small. The lower end of the gap G
communicates with the second dust accumulation section 72 which is
positioned under the gap G.
[0098] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 11, the filter 80 includes a
filter frame 81 and a filter element 82 attached to the whole
inside of the frame 81 so as to close the inside. The filter
element 82 is formed of a filter material in a mat shape. This mat
may have a flat plate shape or a pleated shape, and a single layer
or a plurality of types of layers may also be stacked. In the
filter material of the filter element 82, paper, cotton, cloth,
glass wool, nonwoven cloth, foamed synthetic resin, and the like
can be used. It is to be noted that reference numeral 87 of FIGS. 6
and 11 denotes an annular rubber seal packing fitted around the
filter frame 81.
[0099] In the present embodiment, the pleated filter element 82
formed of a mat bent in a waveform shape in order to expand a
filter area is used. The mesh of the filter element 82 is finer
than that of the filters F1, F2 disposed on the upstream side of
the element 82. As shown in FIG. 13, the pleated filter element 82
includes a surface groove 82b extending in the surface of the
element in the vertical direction. The surface groove 82b opens
forwards. Similarly, the filter element 82 includes a back surface
groove 82a extending in the vertical direction in the back surface.
The back surface groove 82a is opened rearwards.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 13, a surface treatment layer 82C is
disposed in the surface on the upstream side of the filter element
82. The surface treatment layer 82C has gas permeability, and is a
coating layer which reduces friction resistance of the surface on
the upstream side and which smoothens a surface property. The
surface treatment layer 82C having a low coefficient of friction
inhibits the dust from sticking to the surface of the filter
element 82. The surface treatment layer 82C is disposed, when fine
particles of metals such as stainless steel, titanium, copper, and
aluminum are attached to the surface on the upstream side, for
example, by sputtering.
[0101] In this case, the metal fine particles are attached to the
surface on the upstream side in the order of several angstroms so
that the filter element 82 can maintain gas permeability required
in filtering the fine dust. The surface treatment layer 82C is not
limited to the fine particle layer of metal. For example, it may
also be possible to immerse the filter element 82 into an ethylene
tetrafluoride solution and to subsequently dry the element in a dry
furnace, so that the surface treatment layer 82C is disposed in
opposite front/back surfaces of the filter element 82.
[0102] The filter frame 81 supports the filter element 82 from four
peripheries. A lower frame section 81a forming the lower end of the
filter frame 81 includes element supports 84 and an oblique section
85 disposed under the supports as shown in FIGS. 6 and 12. The
element supports 84 and oblique section 85 function as dust
discharge section 83.
[0103] The element support 84 include closing portions 84a and
cutout portions 84b which are alternately arranged. These closing
portions 84a and cutout portions 84b are disposed opposite to the
pleats of the filter element 82 at predetermined pitches.
[0104] The closing portions 84a close the lower ends of the back
surface grooves 82a of the filter element 82, and are fitted/bonded
into the lower ends. The cutout portions 84b function as dust
passing portions. The cutout portions 84b are formed to open on the
front side (upstream side) of the filter frame 81. This cutout
portion 84b is disposed not to close the lower end of the surface
groove 82b of the filter element 82.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 12, element supports 86 similar to the
element supports 84 are also disposed in an upper frame portion 81b
of the filter frame 81. The upper end of the filter element 82 is
bonded to the element support 86. Since the upper and lower ends of
the filter element 82 are bonded to both the element supports 84,
86, air channels can be prevented from being formed over the
front/back surface of the filter element 82 in the upper/lower part
of the filter frame 81.
[0106] The oblique section 85 protrudes from rear edges of the
element supports 84 (edges on a downstream side) obliquely in a
forward/downward direction. The oblique section 85 is disposed
opposite to the cutout portions 84b. A space formed between the
oblique section 85 and element supports 84 extends in a width
direction of the filter frame 81. This space communicates with the
surface grooves 82b. A forward protruding width of the oblique
section 85 is smaller than that of the closing portion 84a.
Accordingly, the space communicates with the second dust
accumulation section 72 below the space.
[0107] As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the cord reel 125 built in the
case main section 34 includes a take-up drum 126, brake device 131,
and the like. The take-up drum 126 is rotatably attached to a
support shaft 122, and rotated by an urging force of a power spring
(not shown). When this take-up drum 126 rotates, a power cord KD
(see FIG. 3) is wound up. The support shaft 122 is vertically
disposed on a bottom part of the main-body case 30.
[0108] The take-up drum 126 includes an upper flange 127 and lower
flange 128. A large-diameter driving gear 129 is disposed in the
upper surface of the upper flange 127. The gear 129 is formed of a
large number of teeth annularly arranged in a peripheral direction
of the upper flange 127.
[0109] A base plate 123 and base plate presser 124 are attached to
the support shaft 122. The brake device 131 is attached to the base
plate 123. The brake device 131 includes a brake arm 132, brake
roller (not shown), and spring (not shown).
[0110] As shown in FIG. 16, the base plate 123 includes a vertical
pivot 123a, and the brake arm 132 is rotatably attached to the
pivot 123a. The brake roller is attached to a free end of the brake
arm 132. The spring urges the brake arm 132 in a direction in which
the brake roller contacts the peripheral surface of the upper
flange 127 with pressure.
[0111] For the brake device 131, the brake roller is pushed into a
gap between the brake arm 132 and upper flange 127 like a wedge, to
lock the rotation of the take-up drum 126. The brake roller is so
pushed by the spring for urging the brake arm 132 and the power
spring (not shown) for urging the take-up drum 126.
[0112] When the power cord KD is drawn out, the take-up drum 126 is
rotated against the urging force of the spring. Accordingly, the
brake roller is slightly moved in the rotation direction of the
take-up drum 126. Therefore, the state in which the brake roller
bites like the wedge between the brake arm 132 and upper flange 127
is released. That is, a press-contact state of the brake roller
onto the upper flange 127 is released.
[0113] When the drawing of the power cord KD is stopped, the
take-up drum 126 slightly rotates in a direction for winding up the
power cord KD by the power spring. Accordingly, the brake roller
bites like the wedge between the brake arm 132 and upper flange 127
to stop the rotation of the take-up drum 126. Therefore, the power
cord KD is held in a drawn state.
[0114] The brake of the brake device 131 is released, when a handle
133 shown in FIGS. 2 and 15 is pressed downwards. The handle 133
includes a handle section 134 and leg sections 135, 135 integrally
connected to the opposite ends of the handle section 134 and
extending downwards, and is formed in an inverted U shape. The
handle 133 can be drawn upwards above the main-body case 30, and is
used to carry the cleaner main body 20 in this state. The handle
133 is usually held in a position where the handle section 134 does
not project from the main-body case 30, and pushed in from this
state at the time of brake release.
[0115] A tapered plate 130 is disposed in the lower end of one leg
section 135. An inclined cam surface 135a of the plate 130 contacts
a rib 121 of the brake arm 132 from above. By an operation for
pressing downwards the handle 133, the brake arm 132 is rotated
counterclockwise centering on the pivot 123a. By this rotation, the
brake roller is detached from the peripheral surface of the upper
flange 127. Therefore, the brake is released by the brake device
131.
[0116] In the case main section 34, dust drop devices for dropping
off the dust sticking to the filter 80 such as a vibration applying
device 149 are disposed.
[0117] This vibration applying device 149 includes a lattice plate
116, and a large-diameter gear 150 disposed between the lattice
plate 116 and filter 80. The lattice plate 116 is disposed on the
back side of a front wall 113 of the case main section 34. The
front wall 113 includes an opening disposed opposite to the lattice
plate 116. The gear 150 is disposed inside the opening. This gear
150 includes a boss 151, a plurality of arms 152, an annular gear
section 153, an annular support section 154, and a protrusion
157.
[0118] The boss 151 positioned in a middle part of the gear 150 is
rotatably supported by a support shaft 151a of the lattice plate
116. Each arm 152 is disposed radially centering on the boss 151
and integrally with the boss 151. The gear section 153 is
integrally disposed over the respective arms 152.
[0119] The support section 154 is positioned between the boss 151
and the annular gear section 153, and is disposed integrally with
each arm 152. The protrusion 157 is disposed in one of
intersections between the annular support section 154 and the arms
152. The protrusion 157 can be elastically deformed, and the tip
end of the protrusion is fitted shallowly in one back surface
groove 82a of the filter element 82.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 17, the gear 150 links with the cord reel
125 via a rotary force transmission mechanism 158. This rotary
force transmission mechanism 158 includes a rotation shaft 159, a
first pinion (small-diameter gear) 160 which is a link element, and
a second pinion (small-diameter gear) 161 which is a driving rotary
member.
[0121] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, the lattice plate 116 includes
a cylindrical section 113a and a shaft through hole 113b which
communicates with the section. The rotation shaft 159 is disposed
through the cylindrical section 113a and shaft through hole 113b.
One end of the rotation shaft 159 projects toward the dust cup 50,
and the other end projects into the case main section 34.
[0122] The first pinion 160 is fixed to one end of the rotation
shaft 159. The pinion 160 meshes with the annular gear section 153
of the gear 150. The pinion 160 includes a boss 160a which is
fitted into the shaft through hole 113b.
[0123] The second pinion 161 is rotatably supported by the other
end of the rotation shaft 159, and is disposed in an axial line
direction of the rotation shaft 159 so as to be immobile. The
pinion 161 meshes with the driving gear 129 of the cord reel 125 to
link with the cord reel 125. In FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, a reference
numeral 159a denotes a guide convex portion, and this guide convex
portion 159a is formed so as to extend in a direction parallel with
the axial line in the peripheral surface of the rotation shaft
159.
[0124] The rotary force transmission mechanism 158 includes a
cylindrical driven rotary member 162. This rotary member 162 is
fitted into a portion in which the guide convex portion 159a of the
rotation shaft 159 is disposed, and is disposed between the first
pinion 160 and lattice plate 116. Accordingly, the rotary member
162 is supported by the rotation shaft 159 so that the rotary
member is movable in the axial line direction and is not relatively
rotatable.
[0125] The rotary force transmission mechanism 158 includes a one
way clutch 163. The main part of the clutch 163 is disposed in a
portion in which the second pinion 161 is disposed opposite to the
driven rotary member 162. The one way clutch 163 includes ratchet
claws 164, 165 engaged with each other, and a coil spring 166. The
ratchet claw 164 is disposed in the pinion 161. The ratchet claw
165 is disposed in the driven rotary member 162. The coil spring
166 presses the ratchet claw 165 onto the ratchet claw 164.
[0126] When the cord reel 125 is rotated in a direction for drawing
out the power cord KD, the ratchet claws 164, 165 are rotated with
respect to each other. Against a spring force of the coil spring
166, the driven rotary member 162 is moved on the rotation shaft
159 in a direction detached from the pinion 161. Accordingly, the
ratchet claw 164 rides over the ratchet claw 165. Conversely, when
the cord reel 125 is rotated in a direction for winding up the
power cord KD, the ratchet claws 164, 165 are engaged with each
other. Accordingly, the pinion 161 is rotated integrally with the
driven rotary member 162.
[0127] As shown in FIG. 17, the rotary force transmission mechanism
158 includes an annular seal member 167 which seals between the
shaft through hole 113b and rotation shaft 159. The seal member 167
fits into the outer periphery of the rotation shaft 159 and abuts
on the lattice plate 116. The coil spring 166 is interposed between
the seal member 167 and driven rotary member 162.
[0128] The coil spring 166 presses the seal member 167 onto the
lattice plate 116. Accordingly, the coil spring 166 presses the
ratchet claw 165 of the driven rotary member 162 onto the ratchet
claw 164 of the pinion 161. The seal member 167 is pressed between
the shaft through hole 113b and a boss 160a of the pinion 160.
Accordingly, a space between the rotation shaft 159 and shaft
through hole 113b is also sealed by the seal member 167.
[0129] In FIGS. 14 and 15, a reference numeral 115 denotes a
cylindrical section disposed in the lattice plate 116. The intake
port 33A of the motor blower 33 is fitted into the cylindrical
section 115 via an annular rubber elastic member (not shown).
[0130] An operation of the vacuum cleaner 10 that comprises as
described above will be described.
[0131] As shown in FIG. 4, the dust cup 50 is laid on the cup
receiver section 35 of the main-body case 30. Thereafter, after
closing the lid member 40 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dust
suction hose 21 of the intake passage member 25 is connected to the
connection port 43 of the lid member 40 as shown in FIG. 1. The
dust suction hose 21 is already connected to the draw-in port
member 24 via the extension pipe 23.
[0132] In this state, the operation switch 22B of the handling
operation section 22 is operated to drive the motor blower 33.
Accordingly, the negative-pressure space 56 of the dust cup 50
which communicates with the intake port 33A of the motor blower 33
is brought into a negative pressure. This negative pressure
successively acts on the openings 64 and straight air path 62a of
the air path forming member 62, the air hole 52 of the container
case member 53, the connection port 43 of the lid member 40, the
dust suction hose 21, the extension pipe 23, and the draw-in port
member 24. Accordingly, the dust on the plane to be cleaned is
sucked from the draw-in port member 24 together with air.
[0133] The sucked dust and air are passed through the intake
passage member 25 and sucked into the connection port 43. The dust
and air sucked into the connection port 43 are passed through the
air hole 52 of the dust cup 50 and sucked into the straight air
path 62a of the first dust separation section 61.
[0134] A part of the air sucked into the straight air path 62a is
sucked into the negative-pressure space 56 of the container case
member 53 through the first filter F2 of the opening 64 of the air
path forming member 62, and further sucked into the intake port 33A
of the motor blower 33 through the filter 80.
[0135] Of the dust sucked into the straight air path 62a linearly
extending in the forward/backward direction of the cleaner main
body 20 together with the air, the dust including a mass which is
not less than a predetermined mass rapidly diverts the direction by
the inertia and cannot pass through the openings 64. Therefore, the
dust having the mass is separated from the air passing through the
openings 64 and goes straight in the air path 62a. The dust going
straight in the straight air path 62a collides with the air-guiding
wall section 63B of the guide section 63, and is introduced into
the first dust accumulation section 55 along the guide section
63.
[0136] The air which has not sucked outwards into the
negative-pressure space 56 from the openings 64 is passed through
the guide section 63 in the same manner as in the dust having the
mass, and is introduced into the first dust accumulation section
55. The air introduced into the first dust accumulation section 55
forms a downward spiral flow which rotates along the inner
peripheral surface of the first dust accumulation section 55 by the
guide wall 55G.
[0137] Therefore, the dust introduced into the first dust
accumulation section 55 is compressed and accumulated along the
lower inner peripheral surface of the first dust accumulation
section 55 by the spiral flow. The air which revolves in the first
dust accumulation section 55 rises/inverts in the middle part in
the first dust accumulation section 55, and is passed through the
air hole 59 of the ceiling wall 58 and sucked into the
negative-pressure space 56.
[0138] On the other hand, the light dust leading into the air path
62a of the air path forming member 62 has a small inertial force
with which the dust is going to flow straight. Therefore, the light
dust does not flow straight in the straight air path 62a, and flows
into the negative-pressure space 56 on the air passing through the
filter F2 of the opening 64 by a suction negative pressure of the
motor blower 33. Accordingly, the light dust sticks to the inner
peripheral surface of the filter F2.
[0139] When the filter F2 is largely clogged by the sticking, an
amount of air passing through the filter F2 decreases. At this
time, the negative pressure of the negative-pressure space 56
increases by the decrease. Accordingly, the negative pressure in
the first dust accumulation section 55 also increases through the
air hole 59 of the ceiling wall 58.
[0140] Therefore, air velocity and flow rate of the air going
straight in the straight air path 62a increase. With the increase
of the air velocity with which the air goes straight in the air
path 62a, the air going straight easily peels off the dust sticking
to the filter F2.
[0141] That is, the diameter of the cylindrical air path forming
member 62 gradually decreases toward the derivative port 62B on the
downstream side from the introductory port 62A on the upstream
side. Accordingly, the air going straight in the air path 62a
uniformly abuts on the whole surface of the filter F2 and flows in
the vicinity of the middle part of the straight air path 62a.
Therefore, the air going straight in the air path 62a easily peels
off the dust sticking to the inner suction of the filter F2.
[0142] When the clogging of the filter F2 proceeds in this manner,
the flow rate of the air going straight in the air path 62a
increases, and the flow rate of the air sucked by the motor blower
33 is kept to be substantially constant. Therefore, regardless of
the clogging of the filter F2, it is possible to constantly suck
the dust with a predetermined suction force.
[0143] The dust peeled from the filter F2 is introduced into the
first dust accumulation section 55 through the guide section 63 in
the same manner as the dust which has a large mass, centrifugally
separated from the air, and accumulated in the dust accumulation
section 55.
[0144] As described above, in the first dust separation section 61,
the inertial force with which the dust having a large mass such as
the coarse dust is to go straight is used to separate this dust
from the air. This separation function will be referred to as a
straight flow inertia separation function. In this separation
function, the windage is small as compared with a case in which the
dust-containing air is rotated, the proceeding direction of the
spiral flow is inverted, and the dust is centrifugally separated
from the air.
[0145] The air hole 52, the straight air path 62a, the upper part
of the opening 51 of the container case member 53, and the intake
port 33A of the motor blower 33 are disposed substantially in the
same height position, and are successively arranged in the
forward/backward direction. Therefore, the air sucked into the
motor blower 33 from the air path 62a through the filter F2 and
negative-pressure space 56 flows substantially linearly in
substantially the same height position as represented by an arrow Q
in FIG. 3, and the flow does not largely change. Accordingly, the
windage is reduced, and it is possible to sufficiently fulfill the
function of the motor blower 33.
[0146] The connection port 43 of the lid member 40 and the
cylindrical air path forming member 62 are linearly arranged. In
other words, an introduction direction of the dust-containing air
introduced into the air hole 52 of the container case member 53,
and the extending direction of the air path forming member 62 are
linear. Even in this constitution, the windage can be reduced.
[0147] The air in the negative-pressure space 56 is passed through
the filter 80 and sucked into the motor blower 33. Therefore, the
fine dust passed through the filters F1, F2 can be filtered by the
filter element 82 of the filter 80. The air purified in this manner
is sucked into the motor blower 33.
[0148] The first dust separation section 61 is disposed on the
upstream side of the filter 80. The coarse dust, and the like are
separated in the first dust separation section 61 as described
above. Accordingly, the large dust to be removed by the first dust
separation section 61 does not stick to the filter 80. Therefore,
the filter 80 can be prevented from being apparently clogged at an
early stage.
[0149] In this case, the filter 80 extends in an arrangement
direction of the negative-pressure space 56 including the first
dust separation section 61 and the dust accumulation section 55,
and is disposed opposite to the negative-pressure space 56 and dust
accumulation section 55. In other words, the filter 80 disposed
between the first dust separation section 61 and motor blower 33 is
disposed in not only a projection region of the first dust
separation section 61 but also that of the dust accumulation
section 55. Therefore, the filter 80 can be enlarged without being
limited by the size of the dust accumulation section 55.
Nevertheless the container case member 53 and cleaner main body 20
are not enlarged.
[0150] The filter 80 forming the second dust separation section
filters the dust with the whole large filter element 82.
Accordingly, the windage of the filter 80 can be reduced, and the
turbulence can be inhibited from being formed. Therefore, a timing
at which the filter element 82 is clogged and the windage becomes
excessively large is delayed. Therefore, intervals of maintenance
required to be carried out by a user, such as the rinsing and
cleaning of the filter element 82 and the changing with a new
filter 80, that is, a continuous usable period of the filter 80 can
be lengthened.
[0151] When the windage by the filter 80 can be reduced as
described above, a force for sucking the dust-containing air into
the connection port 43 of the cleaner main body 20 does not easily
drop. Accordingly, the flow rate of the air passed through the
straight air path 62a of the first dust separation section 61 is
inhibited from dropping. Therefore, the separation function in the
first dust separation section 61 can be inhibited from dropping at
the early stage. In other words, it is possible to inhibit a
cleaning capability from dropping at the early stage.
[0152] The filter 80 is tilted. Therefore, a part of the main flow
Q which has abutted, for example, on the upper part (one end) of
the filter element 82 is introduced toward the lower part of the
element 82 along the inclination of the filter element 82.
[0153] The filter element 82 is pleated, and used in a posture in
which creases of the element extend in the vertical direction.
Accordingly, a large number of surface grooves 82b of the filter
element 82 extending in the vertical direction can be used as
guides to easily spread the air also in the lower region of the
filter element 82. Therefore, while the main flow Q is maintained,
substantially the whole filter element 82 can preferably be used to
filter the fine dust.
[0154] The filter 80 raised and used in a posture in which the
pleats extend in the vertical direction attracts mainly the dust by
the surface on the upstream side. Most of the dust which has stuck
to the surface on the upstream side falls with its own weight with
the stopping of the operation of the motor blower 33.
[0155] The surface treatment layer 82C is disposed in the surface
of the filter element 82 on the upstream side. By the treatment
layer 82C, the dust sticking to the surface of the filter element
82 easily peels, and can be inhibited from being caught by the
surface of the filter material. Therefore, the dust on the surface
of the filter element 82 on the upstream side is smoothly and
easily dropped as compared with a case in which the dust directly
sticks to the surface of the filter material of the filter element
82.
[0156] The dust which has fallen passes through the cutout portions
84b of the lower frame section 81a of the filter frame 81. This
dust slips off the oblique section 85 disposed under the filter
element 82. Accordingly, the dust which has fallen from the filter
80 is discharged downwards via the lower frame section 81a, and
accumulated in the second dust accumulation section 72.
[0157] The lower frame section 81a of the filter frame 81 which
supports the lower end of the filter element 82 does not stop the
dust falling from the filter element 82. Accordingly, the dust
grows upwards in the surface grooves 82b, and the lower part of the
filter element 82 can be inhibited from being clogged.
[0158] Therefore, the continuous usable period of the filter 80 can
be lengthened. Additionally, there is not a possibility that the
dust is accumulated and hardened in the lower parts of the surface
grooves 82b of the filter element 82. Therefore, even when the
filter element 82 is rinsed and cleaned, the labor of cleaning can
be reduced.
[0159] As described above, the dust which has fallen from the
surface of the filter element 82 is not stopped by the lower frame
section 81a of the filter frame 81, and the falling dust can be
discharged downwards to the second dust accumulation section 72.
Therefore, when the upper part of the filter element 82 is clogged,
a substantial filter part can be secured in the lower part of the
filter element 82. Even in this respect, the continuous usable
period of the filter 80 can be lengthened.
[0160] The element supports 84 which support the lower end of the
filter element 82 are covered with the oblique section 85 of the
lower frame section 81a from below. Therefore, in the handlings of
the filter 80 such as maintenance, the oblique section 85 can
prevent the lower end of the filter element 82 from hitting
something. Therefore, reliability is high in maintaining
predetermined bond of the filter element 82 onto the element
supports 84.
[0161] The concave second dust accumulation section 72 formed in
the lower end of the dust cup 50 is closed by the bottom plate 57.
Therefore, the air does not flow through the second dust
accumulation section 72. Additionally, the second dust accumulation
section 72 deviates from the main flow shown by the arrow Q in FIG.
3, and is disposed downwards largely apart from the main flow.
Additionally, the gap G is narrowed to such an extent that the
passage of the dust falling from the surface of the filter element
82 is permitted, and the turbulence is effectively inhibited from
being generated in the gap G. Furthermore, the upper end opening of
the second dust accumulation section 72 is covered with the lower
frame section 81a of the filter frame 81 except one part.
[0162] Accordingly, every time the operation of the motor blower 33
is restarted, the turbulence made in the negative-pressure space 56
by the main flow Q does not easily spread in the second dust
accumulation section 72. Therefore, the fine dust accumulated in
the second dust accumulation section 72 soars, and this dust can be
inhibited from sticking to the surface of the filter element 82
again. Accordingly, the filter element 82 can be inhibited from
being clogged at the early stage.
[0163] Furthermore, when the dust is inhibited from sticking again
as described above, air path resistance in the filter element 82 is
inhibited from increasing at the early stage. Therefore, a
capability of actually drawing the dust-containing air into the
connection port 43 by a suction force of the motor blower 33 does
not easily drop, and cleaning capability can be enhanced.
[0164] The air is separated from the dust by the straight flow
inertia separation function described above in the first dust
separation section 61. Accordingly, an energy of the main flow Q is
enlarged, and flow route is clarified. In other words, a flow
position of the air passed through the filter element 82 from the
openings 64 via the negative-pressure space 56 is roughly
determined. Accordingly, since the generation of the turbulence in
the negative-pressure space 56 can be reduced, the influence of the
turbulence onto the second dust accumulation section 72 can further
be inhibited.
[0165] For the vacuum cleaner 10, every time the power cord KD is
extracted/inserted with respect to the cord reel 125, in
conjunction with this, the vibration applying device 149 vibrates
the filter element 82. Accordingly, the fine dust sticking to the
filter element 82 can forcibly be dropped.
[0166] To take up the power cord KD pulled out of the cleaner main
body 20, first the handle section 134 of the handle 133 is
depressed from a position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0167] When the handle 133 is depressed, the brake of the brake
device 131 of the cord reel 125 is released. Accordingly, the
take-up drum 126 of the cord reel 125 is rotated by the urging
force of the power spring to wind up the power cord KD.
[0168] In conjugation with the rotation of the take-up drum 126,
the gear 150 is rotated via the rotary force transmission mechanism
158. By the rotation of the gear 150, the protrusion 157 of the
gear 150 rides over the pleats of the pleated filter element 82 and
moves.
[0169] The protrusion 157 collides with the next pleat, when riding
over the pleat of the filter element 82, and vibrates the filter
element 82. When the vibration is applied in this manner, the fine
dust drops from the filter element 82. The dust which has dropped
is accumulated in the second dust accumulation section 72 as
described above.
[0170] When the power cord KD is pulled out of the cord reel 125,
the take-up drum 126 rotates. Therefore, the vibration applying
device 149 vibrates the filter element 82 to automatically drop off
the dust in the same manner as in a case in which the power cord KD
is wound up.
[0171] FIG. 20 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
The second embodiment is basically the same as the first
embodiment. Therefore, the same constitution as that of the first
embodiment is denoted with the same reference numerals as those of
the corresponding constitution of the first embodiment, and the
description is omitted. Since the constitution of the second dust
accumulation section 72 of the second embodiment is different from
that of the first embodiment, this respect will be described
hereinafter.
[0172] The second dust accumulation section 72 is at, a position
deviating from right under the filter 80. For example, a greater of
the second dust accumulation section 72 is inserted in the first
dust accumulation section 55. In other words, the second dust
accumulation section 72 is disposed in a position deviating from
the flow of the air (main flow Q) passed through the filter 80 from
the first dust separation section 61 via the negative-pressure
space 56 and sucked into the motor blower 33.
[0173] Accordingly, the inside of the second dust accumulation
section 72 is broadened with respect to the inlet. The second dust
accumulation section 72 is preferable in that the section is not
easily influenced by the turbulence of the negative-pressure space
56. The constitution of the second embodiment other than that
described above, including a constitution not shown in FIG. 20, is
the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0174] FIGS. 21 and 22 show a third embodiment of the present
invention. The third embodiment is basically the same as the first
embodiment. Therefore, the same constitution as that of the first
embodiment is denoted with the same reference numerals as those of
the corresponding constitution, and the description is omitted.
Since the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment
in the lower frame section 81a and dust discharge means 83 of the
filter 80, this respect will be described hereinafter.
[0175] As shown in FIG. 22, the closing portions 84a and cutout
portions (dust through portions) 84b are alternately arranged in
the lower frame section 81a. The lower frame section 81a does not
include the oblique section employed in the first embodiment.
Therefore, the lower frame section 81a is directly supported by the
second dust accumulation section 72 as shown in FIG. 21 in a state
in which the filter 80 is fitted into the opening 51. In this
state, the closing portions 84a and cutout portions 84b are
disposed opposite to the second dust accumulation section 72. The
constitution of the third embodiment, including the constitution
not shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, is the same as that of the first
embodiment except the above-described respect.
[0176] As described above, the present invention is effective in a
field of a vacuum cleaner which is useful for sucking dust on a
surface to be cleaned together with air to clean the surface to be
cleaned.
* * * * *